Obituary of Russell Vernon Meyers

Russ Meyers, aka "Monk," devoted partner, husband, father, Musketeer, photographer, engineer, brew master, vintner, traveling man, veteran, and spook died on Saturday, April 10, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Russ was born in Plainfield, NJ to Martin and Irene (Csepregy) Meyers where he spent his youth calling chickens and getting into mischief, the latter habit he continued into his 80s. He was the second of five children; he is predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard (his wife Lois survives), and sister Virginia and her husband Pete. He is survived by brothers Roy (Carol) and Ronald (Priscilla) both of New Jersey.

Russ was a devoted husband and partner. His first devotion was to his wife Hilda (Wackerbarth) Meyers who predeceased him in 1999 after more than 40 years together. He was lucky to find love again first with Barb Copland who predeceased him in 2012, then with Carlene Houser, who ignored all warning labels and shared her life with Russ until his passing, adding both life to his years and years to his life.

He was a proud father to Pamela, wife of Charles McLaughlin and Karen, wife of Steven Haver, and happy "Opa" to Kara and Colin McLaughlin. He was also blessed with a wonderful bonus family including Steve's children Jeremy and Kelsey Haver, Barb's family Andrew and Christine Wood, Christopher Wood and his children Nathan and Connor, and Carlene's family, Michael and Jennie, and Mitchell, Kole, and Ronin.

Russ began his varied and storied professional life with a series of odd jobs including pin setter, gas station attendant, and beer bottler with Ballantine Beers. He began doing freelance photography as a young man, which he returned to in retirement. After a brief stint at Rutgers University, Russ joined the US Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany which allowed him and Hilda to explore Europe and sparked his love of travel. After completing his service in the Army, he continued his service to our country working for the NSA in the Musketeer Unit, specializing in electronic surveillance. While at the NSA he was also a member of The Old Crows. He went on to work for Lockheed Electronics/Lockheed Martin followed by HRB Systems/Raytheon. He concluded his professional career with Valley Technologies.

Russ was a devoted servant of God and his church, serving as deacon and performing a variety of other volunteer duties for many of the Presbyterian Churches where he was a member throughout his life. He was a member of Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church at the time of his passing.

Russ was an avid photographer beginning in his youth continuing throughout his life. As a young father he introduced his children to camping and spent many years towing a camper behind his truck for family vacations. He introduced his girls to the joys of crabbing and fishing then later to the joys of boating, canoeing, and water skiing. As an "empty nester" he began home brewing beer then switching to wine as the women in his life enjoyed that more. He was an accomplished wine maker, winning awards at both local and national competitions and served on the boards and committees for the local and national chapters of the American Wine Society. He also enjoyed international travel and cruising adventures. His love of music brought him to the Berks Jazz Fest for several years where he could impress dates with great seats he got through his daughter.

Russ served on several boards, committees, and neighborhood associations throughout his life and worked to do his part in the community.

Russ will be interred at Graysville Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later time. Those interested in honoring him can make donations in his memory to State College Meals on Wheels, Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church, the Esther Mulder and Henry P. Wackerbarth Memorial Scholarship at Hope College, Berks Arts/Berks Jazz Fest, or the organization of your choice.

A Celebration of Life for Russ will be held Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, 215 Innovation Blvd., State College.  Russ’s friends, cohorts, and wine associates are welcome to come.